Recreational Cyclocross and GravelbikingThis has to be the most physically intense sport ever invented. It's high speed bicycle racing on a short off road course or riding the off pavement rides on gravel like :The Dirty Kanza". We also have a dedicated Racing forum for the Cyclocross Hard Core Racers.

I was finally able to take out my Fuji Cross Comp today for a couple of miles. I have had the bike for about 2 weeks but had a hard time finding some shoes in my size that felt comfortable until I found a pair of really comfy Specialized mountain shoes this week. I rode for about 5 miles because I read that to condition myself I should only ride ~5 miles at time until I have a couple to a thousand miles on the bike. It has been a good 12 years since I've ridden a bike so don't want to overdo it.

The only thing is I have two concerns about the bike and was looking for some suggestions. First one is that my bike has a double crank and on some inclined roads I was riding on I was having trouble at the end. Would getting a triple crank help much?

Also I really don't like the Shimano pedals I have as I am finding it really awkward to detach my shoes from the pedals. I think it might be because I am not used to these kinds of pedals but I still find it very awkward to decouple the cleats. These are the pedals I currently have. I am just having a hard time with the twisting motion of my heal outwards to decouple and also I can't seem to clip on to the pedal fast enough.

The only thing is I have two concerns about the bike and was looking for some suggestions. First one is that my bike has a double crank and on some inclined roads I was riding on I was having trouble at the end. Would getting a triple crank help much?

A triple is great if you ride on long steep hills. Otherwise I'd recommend sticking with the double and work on building up your leg muscles. It won't happen overnight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gus6464

Also I really don't like the Shimano pedals I have as I am finding it really awkward to detach my shoes from the pedals.
Could anyone recommend a pedal that is easy to clip in and out of quickly?

I have Eggbeaters on my Kona Jake. I've been riding with them for 5 years. If you want a pedal with a platform try either Candy or Smarty pedals. All are easy to clip into and unclip out of.

If you get any of these pedals mount the cleats so the one with the dots/circles is on the right shoe.

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I rode for about 5 miles because I read that to condition myself I should only ride ~5 miles at time until I have a couple to a thousand miles on the bike. It has been a good 12 years since I've ridden a bike so don't want to overdo it.

All in all it felt awesome riding again.

I dont know where you got that advice, but I wouldnt take it. You can definatly increase quicker than that. You can firt try 5 miles 3 times a week. Next, you could increase the distance by about 5% a week. Once you find a good distance, you can increase the freuency. As long as you get enough rest and arent totally drained, your doing fine. Do more, but dont overdo it. DO NOT just do 5 mi each time for 2k miles. You will gain way less fitness that way as your body will quickly adapt to the 5 miles and wont increase beyond that. Starting slow is good, but that recommendation is just silly

The shimano pedals are good, but make sure you turn the adjusting screw at the back so there is minimum tension. It takes a while to accustom to turning your feet to take them off the pedals. I use Shimano A520 pedals which spread the pressure if your shoes are not the stiffest.
Dont worry about distance - start of by doing rides between thirty minutes and an hour, with some days riding easy all the time and on others pushing at 110% for a few minutes at a time.
Dont think about changing the gears for at least 6 months, you will gain a lot of fitness and technique in that time. There is no shame in getting off the bike and pushing up the last part of the hill.